Dictionary of Bible Themes
The ultimate cause of suffering is sin, which has brought violence, disease and death into the world. All suffering, however, is under the sovereign purpose of God, who is able to use it for his glory.
Genesis 3:14-19The ultimate cause of suffering is sin
Job 1:1John 9:1-3It need not be the result of particular sins:
Job 5:6-7Romans 5:12-14Genesis 4:8Suffering as a result of human wickedness
See also
Murder
Genesis 49:5-71 Samuel 18:10-11Matthew 26:67Injury
Psalms 71:4
See also
Cruelty
Judges 1:7Psalms 54:3
Amos 1:13Matthew 2:16-18Luke 10:302 Kings 7:17Acts 16:22Rioting
Jeremiah 50:22See also
Warfare
Genesis 14:1-2,11-12Exodus 13:17Joshua 6:20-21; 10:22-26Judges 1:4-71 Kings 22:352 Kings 17:5-6Zechariah 14:2Luke 21:20-24Revelation 6:4Ezekiel 9:9See also
Injustice
Genesis 39:19-201 Kings 21:11-142 Kings 21:16Psalms 58:1-2; 64:6
Ecclesiastes 4:1See also
Oppression
Exodus 1:111 Kings 12:1-4,12-14Psalms 12:5
James 5:1-62 Samuel 12:9Malachi 2:14Adultery
Matthew 6:19See also
Theft
Genesis 31:19Job 1:14-15,17; 24:2Job 19:14-19Psalms 27:10
Broken relationships
Proverbs 16:28Acts 15:39Psalms 109:3
See also
Hatred
2 Samuel 13:15Titus 3:3Genesis 37:4See also
Jealousy
Genesis 4:4-5; 16:6; 21:8-101 Samuel 18:8-9Matthew 27:18John 15:20See also
Persecution
Jeremiah 38:6Daniel 3:4-6; 6:7Matthew 5:10-12; 10:35-36Revelation 6:9-112 Samuel 4:4Suffering as a result of misfortune
2 Kings 1:2Accidents
Luke 13:4Genesis 48:1See also
Sickness
2 Kings 20:1Job 2:7Psalms 42:10
Matthew 8:6Acts 28:8Philippians 2:272 Timothy 4:20James 5:14Genesis 12:10Job 30:3Hunger and want
Isaiah 5:13Matthew 25:42-431 Kings 22:48Job 1:16,18-19Natural disasters
Isaiah 29:6Joel 1:4Zechariah 14:5Matthew 24:7Acts 27:18-202 Samuel 19:34-35Suffering through old age and death
Psalms 71:9
Ageing
Ecclesiastes 12:1Genesis 23:1-2Job 1:18-19Bereavement
Luke 7:11-13John 11:33-35James 1:27Proverbs 12:25Suffering through anxiety
See also
Deuteronomy 28:65-67Luke 21:26Psalms 107:17
Suffering through foolishness
See also
Judges 11:34-36Proverbs 10:1; 11:15; 14:1; 23:29-30Luke 15:17Genesis 3:1Suffering through Satanic activity
See also
The influence of Satan
Job 1:12; 2:6-7Luke 13:161 John 5:19Revelation 2:10; 20:7-8Matthew 8:28; 12:22; 15:22Demon-possession
John 9:3Suffering brought about by God himself
Ephesians 1:11All suffering comes within his will
John 21:19Some suffering is for his immediate glory
Isaiah 53:10See also
Jesus Christ's suffering produces salvation
Acts 2:23Romans 5:3-42 Corinthians 1:9Christian suffering produces good fruits
Hebrews 12:11James 1:2,3Hebrews 12:7See also
God's people must be disciplined
Exodus 32:352 Samuel 12:13-14Psalms 119:67,71
Proverbs 3:11-12Hebrews 12:8-11Romans 6:23See also
The wicked must be punished
Genesis 6:5-7John 5:142 Thessalonians 1:8Revelation 9:4; 20:151 Peter 2:21Suffering accepted voluntarily
See also
By Jesus Christ
Isaiah 53:3-5,10Luke 9:222 Corinthians 12:15See also
By his people
2 Corinthians 4:10-12Philippians 3:10Hebrews 11:35John 15:13See also
For the good of others
Romans 5:7Philemon 1:18See also
1045 God, glory of1130 God, sovereignty4120 Satan4822 famine5297 disease5347 injustice8230 discipline8755 folly8790 oppression 
